CanadianContent discussion

I could not find any reference to the long-list dates but last year, it was shared on December 13 so just getting a thread open and fingers crossed that there is an in person option this year so that we can have a meet up in Toronto!!!!

Just checked (Dec 30, 2024) and I don't see anything yet...

I really wish Canada Reads got out of their comfort/ratings zone and focused on books from decades ago. Someone mentioned reading Frederick Philip Grove . I’ve never read him but I’ve heard he’s a wonderful writer. Why can’t they stretch things and take us back to the literature of a long time ago?

The long list comes out on Jan 9.

I will have to look up that author Alan. the defendants get to choose their books so this is why we ended up with romance last year... it is always interesting to see what is chosen and I do like that it sometimes makes me read things outside my comfort zone.

I am hoping that the theme has something to do with kindness, gratitude, peace or caring for others... the world seems to need this is so many ways!!

Longlist is out - https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/...

This year, the great Canadian book debate is looking for one book to change the narrative.

The books on this year's longlist all have the power to change how we see, share and experience the world around us.

The 2025 longlist is:

The Whispers by Ashley Audrain
Watch Out for Her by Samantha M. Bailey
A Two-Spirit Journey by Ma-Nee Chacaby, with Mary Louisa Plummer
What I Know About You by Éric Chacour, translated by Pablo Strauss
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
When the Pine Needles Fall by Katsi'tsakwas Ellen Gabriel, with Sean Carleton
Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard
Jennie's Boy by Wayne Johnston
Becoming a Matriarch by Helen Knott
Dandelion by Jamie Chai Yun Liew
However Far Away by Rajinderpal S. Pal
Clyde Fans by Seth
Girl Runner by Carrie Snyder
All Our Ordinary Stories by Teresa Wong

Interesting list. The only one I've read is The Pull of the Stars. It was wonderful.

Ive read The Pull of the Stars, Etta and Otto…, and Clyde Fans, all of which I enjoyed very much. I will probably wait for the short list before I start reading for CR.

I’ve also liked The Pull of the Stars very much ,her research is incredible. I thought the ending was a bit forced but I enjoyed the book very much.
I’ve also read What I Know About You which was wonderful,but again I found the second half of the novel to be weak. But still a very moving novel.

Haven't read any, and the only one that was already on my TBR list is The Other Valley. So I've put a request for that in from my library, but as for the rest, I'll wait to see which books make it in.

I dunno, it seems less...literary than previous years? Maybe I'm just being judgey because the first two are thrillers, but I do feel like it's a recent trend with Canada Reads, with last year's Meet Me at the Lake, and Sunshine Nails and Woke Up Like This on the long list.

But I will still do my best to read the short list and look forward to seeing what the panelists have to say about the chosen books!

The only one I have heard about is Dandelion

I think the Canada Reads long list is so pointless. We know five of them will make the cut (because they already have) but the selection of the other five is completely arbitrary. They could easily announce the short list now and give people more time to get the books read!

I agree. I understand they’re trying to highlight more books and tease us, but with only 2 weeks until the finalists are announced, what is the point in starting to read from this list?

I am interested that there are some older books on the list. I read the Girl Runner (and was lucky to meet the author) pre-pandemic and remember enjoying it as well as Pull of the Stars.

I like the long-list as it builds the tension for the short-list and has introduced me to books I might not have read. This year, I likely won’t read many before the short-list as it is a busy time of year.

My fingers and toes are crossed that we will be able to have a meet up in person this year for the finale!!

Just heard. No in studio audience again this year. I am still coming to Toronto. I am baffled why no studio audience.

Hopefully we can still have a meet up.

I was hopeful when I started Etta and Otto and Russell and James, but I didn't like it. It's from 2015; I hadn't realized this isn't only about recent releases.

I have read and enjoyed The Pull of the Stars, Girl Runner and Dandelion.

The Pull of the Stars is the one book one brant pick this year and the author will be visiting!! I have read this as well as Girl Runner and Etta and Otto and Russell and James. I am looking forward to the short-list release on Thursday!!

The Short List is out:

https://www.cbc.ca/books/meet-the-can...

CBC’s great Canadian book debate, CANADA READS, returns for its 24th edition, Monday, March 17 through Thursday, March 20.

Ali Hassan will host a panel of celebrity advocates championing Canadian books that speak to this year’s theme, “One Book to Change the Narrative.” Each day of the competition, one book will be eliminated by the panellists until a winner is declared Canada's must-read book in 2025.

The CANADA READS 2025 debates will broadcast each day at 10 a.m. (11 AT, 1:30 NT) on CBC Radio, with a live audio stream and podcast recap on CBC Listen. Watch live at 10 a.m. ET/ 7 a.m. PT on CBC Gem, CBCbooks.ca and YouTube, or at 1 p.m. (2 AT, 2:30 NT) on CBC TV.

The five books to be debated and their champions for CANADA READS 2025 are:

Watch Out for Her (Simon & Shuster) by Samantha M. Bailey, to be championed by Olympic gold medallist, Maggie Mac Neil.

A Two-Spirit Journey (University of Manitoba Press) by Ma-Nee Chacaby, with Mary Louisa Plummer, to be championed by podcaster and wellness advocate, Shayla Stonechild.

Etta and Otto and Russell and James (Penguin Canada) by Emma Hooper, to be championed by actor, filmmaker and star of CBC’s hit series Heartland, Michelle Morgan.

Jennie’s Boy (Knopf Canada) by Wayne Johnston, to be championed by bestselling thriller writer, Linwood Barclay.

Dandelion (Arsenal Pulp Press) by Jamie Chai Yun Liew, to be championed by pastry chef and neuroscientist, Saïd M’Dahoma.

moved this to the Discussion - Canada Reads 2025 - Short List

An interesting list. none of which I've read. I've put hold requests on all of them, so will see how I feel once I get into the reading.

I created a new discussion - Canada Reads 2025 - Short List

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

So after finishing the short list, I also got to a book from the long list that had already been on my TBR - The Other Valley. Not finished yet, but I am loving it. Odile's character really speaks to me, and where I am in my life.

I really wish it had been shortlisted, especially as I think it would be an interesting foil to Etta and Otto and Russell and James seeing as they both deal with anticipatory grief.